Providing temporary callback number for emergency calls

ABSTRACT

A system, method, and computer readable medium comprising instructions for providing temporary callback number for emergency calls is disclosed. A determination is made as to whether a restriction is imposed on a mobile user for incoming calls. A temporary callback number for the mobile user is generated if the restriction is imposed. A request for a callback to the mobile user comprising the temporary callback number is detected. The callback is routed to the mobile user using the temporary callback number.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation from U.S. patent application Ser. No.12/049,472, filed Apr. 4, 2008, and entitled “PROVIDING TEMPORARYCALLBACK NUMBER FOR EMERGENCY CALLS”, which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure is generally related to an emergency servicecommunications network, and more particularly to providing temporarycallback numbers for calls to emergency services in an emergency servicecommunications network.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In an emergency situation, persons involved or bystanders often contactemergency services by placing a 9-1-1 emergency call from their home orcellular phone. An emergency operator at a public safety answering point(PSAP) who received the call takes the information provided by thecaller and may initiate or coordinate the dispatching of the necessaryemergency service providers to handle the situation. Common emergencyservice providers that are dispatched include the police, the firedepartment, emergency medical services (EMS), and the like.

However, some callers may have call restrictions placed on their phonesor their phones have an address or phone number that cannot be dialedover the PSTN or represented as a ten-digit North American numberingplan number. For example, a phone may be restricted as to what numbersit may call and who can call that phone. A child's phone may be setup sothat the child can only call 911 or the parents and can only receivecalls from the phone numbers associated with the parents. Calls and textmessages to and from other phone numbers may be blocked. While thesefeatures may be advantageous to some callers, a problem exists whenemergency calls are placed and a callback is initiated by emergencyservice providers. Because the phone number of an emergency serviceprovider is not an “allowed number”, an incoming call from the emergencyservice provider may be blocked. Therefore, what is needed is theability to provide a method to call back these restricted phones by useof a temporary call back number.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides a method, a system, and computerinstructions for providing temporary callback number for emergency callsin an emergency service communications network.

The present disclosure describes a method for providing temporarycallback numbers for emergency calls. A determination is made as towhether a restriction is imposed on a mobile user for incoming calls orfor some other reason the PSAP may have difficulties returning a call tothis caller with the native address of the device. A temporary callbacknumber for the caller is allocated if the system determines there may bedifficulties in successfully returning the call to the caller. If acallback using the temporary callback number is attempted, the call willbe routed to a gateway where it will be relayed to the true address orphone number of the caller. If the caller is restricted from receivingspecific calls, the system will allow the call through because ofspecial predetermined identifiers such as a special value for the ANI(Automatic number identification) or the Calling Party Number

The present disclosure describes a system for providing temporarycallback numbers for emergency calls. The system comprises a mobileunit, a mobile switching center (MSC) communicably coupled to the mobileunit and the emergency call voice network, a gateway mobile locationcenter (GMLC) or Mobile Positioning Center (MPC) for determining therouting of an emergency call. The GMLC or MPC is communicably coupled tothe mobile switching center (MSC) and emergency service data network, atemporary callback number gateway which is communicably coupled to theGMLC/MPC and a telephone network, and a public safety answering pointfor initiating a callback to the mobile unit through the telephonenetwork, the public safety answering point is communicably coupled tothe emergency call voice network and the emergency call data network.The system further comprises a database for storing user information ofthe mobile unit, the database is communicably coupled to the GMLC/MPC.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary emergency service communications network;

FIG. 2 depicts a system for providing temporary callback numbers foremergency calls to emergency service providers in accordance with oneembodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 depicts a diagram illustrating call flows for providing temporarycallback numbers for emergency calls in accordance with one embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 depicts a flowchart of a process for providing a temporarycallback number for emergency calls in accordance with one embodiment ofthe present disclosure; and

FIG. 5 depicts a flowchart of a process for routing a callback from thePSAP to a caller.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIG. 1, an exemplary emergency service communicationsnetwork is depicted. In emergency service communications network 100, acaller 102 places an emergency call, for example, by dialing 9-1-1,using a wired telephone 104. Central office 106, which is connected totelephone 104, recognizes from the dialed number that this call requiresemergency treatment. Central office 106 then seizes a trunk 108 toselective router 110 and transmits the telephone number (TN) oftelephone 104 to selective router 110. Telephone number (TN) uniquelyidentifies telephone 104 in emergency service communications network 100and may be used interchangeably with directory number (DN) as anautomatic number identification when the directory number is sent fromone network component to another.

Once selective router 110 receives the call with the telephone number(TN), it selects the appropriate PSAP 114, based upon the TN, andforwards the call to that Public Safety Answering Point (PSAP). WhenPSAP 114 receives the call from telephone 104, it queries the AutomaticLocation Identification 112 with the TN that it received from theselective router 110. The ALI 112 then performs a database lookup usingthe TN as a key and retrieves records associated with the TN. Examplesof records retrieved include caller's location information, such as, astreet address, geo-location coordinates, and the like. ALI 112 thenforwards these records to PSAP 114 for its use in providing properemergency response.

In addition to a wired telephone call, caller 102 may place an emergencycall using a cellular phone 118. Cellular phone 118 transmits the callto a cellular tower 120, which forwards the call to a mobile switchingcenter (MSC) 122 within a mobile communications network 124. In someembodiments, subscribers may place voice calls, transmit/receive data,and/or send short messages from their respective cellular phones. Inaddition to cellular phone 118, caller 102 may place emergency call orother calls via other devices, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (IP)devise or other devices that do not have a traditional telephone number.An example is an international caller who is calling from a 13-digitphone number.

The mobile switching center (MSC) 122 receives the call and contacts amobile positioning center (MPC) or Gateway Mobile Location Center (GMLC)126 to obtain routing instruction on how to route the call. The MPC mayquery the Position Determining Entity (PDE) or Serving Mobile LocationCenter (SMLC) 128 in order to establish a geographical area for routingthe call to an appropriate PSAP.

Once the location is determined, MPC/GMLC 126 returns an emergencyservice routing key (ESRK) to the MSC 122. This ESRK will ultimately beused by the PSAP 114 to identify the emergency call. This ERSK will alsobe used by the MSC 122 to route the call to the appropriate selectiverouter 110 and for the selective router 110 to route the call to theappropriate PSAP 114. MSC 122 then sends the call identified by the ESRKto selective router 110. Selective router 110 determines the appropriatePSAP to route the call based upon the ESRK that it received. Theselective router 110 routes the call to the appropriate PSAP and passesalong the ESRK with the call.

Similar to the wired call, PSAP 114 uses the ESRK of cellular phone 118as a key to query ALI 112 for records associated with cellular phone118. ALI 112 forwards the ESRK to MPC/GMLC 126, which returns the cachedcaller information which typically includes information such as thecaller's carrier, their PSTN phone number and their location. Thisinformation is returned to the PSAP 114 for its use in providing properemergency response.

Cellular phone 118, however, may have restrictions placed in it, whichprevents calls and text messages to and from phone numbers that are notdesignated as “allowed numbers”. In that case, PSAP 114 may not be ableto initiate a callback to cellular phone 118, which significantlyimpacts the efficiency of emergency services provided by PSAP 114.Aspect of the present disclosure provides a system for providingtemporary callback numbers to PSAPs, such that callbacks may beinitiated without being blocked.

FIG. 2 provides a system for providing temporary callback numbers foremergency calls to emergency service providers. Similar to system 100,caller 202 may place a 9-1-1 emergency call using a cellular phone 204.Cellular phone 204 transmits the call to a cellular tower 206, whichforwards the call to a mobile switching center (MSC) 208. The MSC 208queries the MPC/GMLC 210 for routing instructions. The MPC/GMLC 210queries a database 216 to help determine if the subscriber needs to havea temporary callback number assigned. Database 116 may be a database ofa mobile service provider comprising of all users, groups of users,classes of users or users that may have some form of a restriction. Ifthe MPC/GMLC 210 determines that a temporary callback number needs to beassigned, because the current callback number can not be use to callbackthe caller, the MPC/GMLC 210 will assign a temporary callback number forthis call and will store that number for later use.

The MPC/GMLC 210 will then return the routing information to the MSC 208so that it can route the call to the Emergency Services Voice network224. The Emergency Services Voice network 224 will route the call to theappropriate PSAP. The emergency services voice network 224 may beimplemented as a Selective router 110 or similar device. Upon receivingthe call, the PSAP 218 sends a query to MPC/GMLC 210, through theEmergency Services Data network 234 for the callback number and locationinformation of cellular phone 204. In this example, the callback numberhas been replaced with the temporary callback number by the MPC/GMLC210.

Upon receiving the temporary callback number and location information,the PSAP 218 stores the information for later use. After some time haspassed, PSAP 218 initiates a call back to the cellular phone 204 overthe telephone network 254 using the temporary callback number as thedestination number. The telephone network 254 routes the call to theTemporary Callback Number Gateway 244. The temporary callback numbergateway 244 then sends a query to MPC/GMLC 210 for the actual callbacknumber of cellular phone 204. When GMLC 210 returns the actual callbacknumber, the Temporary Callback Number Gateway 244 acts as anintermediary and routes the callback to MSC 208 over the PSTN or adedicated network. The Temporary Callback Number Gateway 244 replacedthe Calling Party Number of the incoming call from the PSAP 218 with apredetermined value known by the MSC that will allow the call to bedelivered to the cellular phone 204. Upon receiving the call, MSC 208allows the call back to reach cellular phone 204 without being blocked.

Referring to FIG. 3, a diagram illustrating call flows for providingtemporary callback numbers for emergency calls is depicted in accordancewith an embodiment of the present disclosure. All or some of the stepsin FIG. 3 may be implemented as computer instructions executing withinone or more of the depicted modules. User equipment 302 dials anemergency 9-1-1 call 304. MSC 306 detects the 9-1-1 emergency call 304and launches an initial address message (IAM) 308 to GMLC 310. In oneexemplary implementation, IAM message 308 comprises multiple fields butonly three relevant fields are shown: CdPN, CgPN, and GDP. CdPN maycomprise a mobile station integrated service digital network (MSISDN) ofuser equipment 302. MSISDN is a unique public telephone networkidentifier assigned to cellular phone 204 or equipment entity 302. CdPNmay comprise “911” or similar identifier indicating an emergency call.GPD may comprise an emergency service routing number (ESRN), which is a10-digit number identifying the cell site the 9-1-1 call was initiatedon.

Upon receiving the IAM message 308, GMLC 310 determines if restrictionsare imposed on user equipment 302 which will block or redirect callbacksfrom the PSAP by initiating a query 312 to the User Info database 314.The user info database 314 may be a local database, carrier database,Home Location Register or other similar database containing userinformation and call restrictions. The query 312 may contain the usersMSISDN, IMSI or other unique identifying value that identifies userequipment 302. The user info database 314 returns back any restrictions316 that may be imposed upon the user equipment 302 which may preventthe PSAP from calling back the user equipment 302.

If restrictions are imposed on user entity 302 for incoming calls or theGMLC 310 believes that for some other reason the may not be able to callback the user equipment 302 or have enough information to call back theuser equipment 302, the GMLC 310 allocates a temporary callback number(TCBNUM) that will be used as a callback number to ultimately reach userequipment 302 for 9-1-1 emergency call 304. The duration of TCBNUM maybe predefined and last for a period of time, for example, severalminutes, hours or days. Once the TCBNUM is allocated, GMLC 310 returnsan IAM message 318 to MSC 306 to complete the loop around call. In oneexemplary implementation, IAM message 318 comprises at least two fields:CdPN and CgPN, both of which comprise the emergency service routing key(ESRK).

Based on the routing information provided by GMLC 310, the MSC 306routes the 9-1-1 emergency call to emergency services voice network 322and eventually to the interconnected PSAP. In this example, the call maybe routed by sending an IAM message 320 to the emergency services voicenetwork 322. In other embodiments of the present disclosure, othermethods to route the call may be used such as MultiFrequency signalingand Voice over Internet Protocol. IAM message 320 comprises at least aCdPN and CgPN. CdPN comprises a “911” or other identifier indicating anemergency call. CgPN may comprises an ESRK identifying the PSAP to whichthe emergency call is routed and an identifier of the caller. In otherembodiments of this invention, other identifiers of an emergency callmay be used including but not limited to ESRD and MSISDN. Upon receivingthe IAM message, emergency services data network 324 of PSAP sends aquery to GMLC 310 for location and callback information of userequipment 302. The query may be sent via an ESPOSREQ message 326 thatcontains at least the ESRK.

Upon receiving the query, GMLC 310 returns the location and callbackinformation of user equipment 302. In this example, the temporarycallback number will be returned in place of the actual callback number.The information may be enclosed in an esposreq message 328. In this way,the PSAP will use the temporary callback number to initiate the callbackinstead of the actual callback number. In addition, the esposreq message328 comprises location information of user equipment 302.

After the emergency call, the PSAP initiates a callback to userequipment 302. The PSAP places a call to the temporary callback numberthrough the PSTN or other dedicated network. The temporary callbacknumber (TCBNUM) is one of the numbers in a pool of numbers hosted by thetemporary callback number gateway 332. The call is routed to temporarycallback number gateway 332 over the PSTN or other dedicated network.

After receiving the call 330, temporary callback number gateway 332sends a query 334 to GMLC 310 for the actual callback number of userequipment 302. The query 334 comprises the temporary callback numberassigned by GMLC 310. GMLC 310 then identifies the corresponding actualcallback number and returns the actual callback number to the temporarycallback number gateway 332 in a cb_req message 336. The actual callbacknumber is the MSISDN or some other routable identifier that can be usedto route to the user equipment 302. In turn, temporary callback numbergateway 332 tandems the call back to the user equipment 302 based uponthe MSISDN or other routable identifier. The temporary callback numbergateway 332 will replace the received Calling Party number informationor similar information with some predetermined value that will informthe MSC to allow the call to be connected to the user equipment 302. Thecallback 338 is routed to the MSC 306 over PSTN or other dedicatednetwork. When MSC 306 receives the IAM message 338, it allows thecallback to reach user equipment 302 based on the unique pre-determinedANI enclosed in the calling party number. In this way, callbacksinitiated from PSAP may reach the user equipment 302 without beingblocked or redirected.

Referring to FIG. 4, a flowchart of a process for providing a temporarycallback number for emergency calls is depicted in accordance with anembodiment of the present disclosure. Process 400 may be but is notlimited to be implemented as computer instructions executing within thegateway mobile location center (GMLC) 310. In this example, process 400begins at step 402 when the GMLC detects the initiation of a 9-1-1 fromthe MSC. Next, process 400 continues to step 404 to send a query foruser information to the user information database.

Process 400 then continues to step 406 to determine if a restriction isimposed on the user based on the user information. If a restriction isimposed, process 400 continues to step 408 to allocate a temporarycallback number for the user which will replace the normal callbacknumber in step 414. Process 400 then continues to step 410 to returnrouting information to the MSC. If no restriction is imposed, process400 continues to step 410.

Process 400 then continues to 412 where GMLC detects a query forcallback and location information from the PSAP. This query is initiatedas a result of a callback request from the PSAP. Process 400 thencompletes at step 414 to send the temporary callback number allocatedfor the user to the PSAP.

Referring to FIG. 5, a flowchart of a process for routing a callbackfrom the PSAP to a caller is depicted in accordance with an embodimentof the present disclosure. Process 500 may be but is not limited to beimplemented as computer instructions executing within the temporarycallback number gateway 244. In this example, process 500 begins at step502 where after some time the PSAP decides to initiate a callback to thecaller. Once the callback call is initiated, process 500 then continuesto step 504 to receive a callback request from 911 telephone network254. The callback request includes the temporary callback numberallocated by GMLC. Process 500 then continues to step 506 to query theactual callback number from MPC/GMLC 210. Once the actual callbacknumber is obtained, process 500 continues to step 508 to replace thecalling party number with a predetermined value that will inform the MSCto allow the call to be connected to the caller.

Process 500 then completes at step 510 to route the callback to the MSC306 over PSTN or other dedicated network, which then tandems the call tothe MSC by using a unique identifier so that the MSC will allow the callthrough. Using the temporary callback number, the PSAP may reach theuser without being blocked or redirected by the restriction imposed onthe user.

In summary, aspects of the present disclosure provide a method, system,and computer readable media comprising instructions for providing atemporary callback number for emergency calls. By allocating a temporarycallback number in place of the actual callback number, emergencycallbacks may be initiated by PSAP to user with call restrictionswithout being blocked or redirected.

It is noted that the present disclosure is not limited to theapplication of wired or wireless calls or to emergency service use. Forexample, the caller may be using a Voice over IP device that does nothave a phone number but a Session Initiation Protocol address such asjohn@smith.us. Instead of the SIP address, a temporary callback numbermay be assigned to the Voice over IP device for a later callback fromthe PSTN.

The present disclosure may also be used by an international caller witha 13-digit phone number. Because the PSAP can only display ten digits, atemporary callback number may be assigned to this 13-digit number forthe PSTN to initiate a later callback.

In addition to the above discussion in the context of a GSM network,aspects of the present disclosure may be implemented in other types oftelecommunications network, such as a code division multiple accessnetwork.

Systems, methods, and computer readable media comprising instructionshave been shown and/or described in the above embodiments for providingtemporary callback numbers for emergency calls. Although the abovedescriptions set forth preferred embodiments, it will be understood thatthere is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, butrather, it is intended to cover all modifications, substitutions, andalternate implementations falling within the spirit and scope of theinvention. Furthermore, the embodiments are intended to covercapabilities and concepts whether they be via a loosely coupled set ofcomponents or they be converged into one or more integrated components,devices, circuits, and/or software programs.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method, comprising: determining if arestriction is imposed on a mobile user for incoming calls, wherein thedetermining if the restriction is imposed comprises querying a userinformation database, the query comprises an identifier identifying amobile device of the mobile user; allocating a temporary callback numberto the public safety answer point to prevent the mobile device fromblocking or restricting an incoming call from the public safetyanswering point; sending a query for callback and location informationof the mobile user from the public safety answering point to a mobilepositioning center or a global mobile location center via an emergencyservices data network; and sending the temporary callback number andlocation information of the mobile user to the public safety answerpoint for use of the temporary callback number to call the mobiledevice.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the callback comprises aunique predetermined automatic name identification (ANI) indicating anemergency callback.
 3. The method of claim 2, further comprising:responsive to receiving the unique predetermined automatic nameidentification, allowing the callback to reach the mobile user.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising: detecting a request forinformation of the mobile user; sending a query for the information ofthe mobile user to a database; and receiving the information from thedatabase, the information comprising whether a restriction is imposed onthe mobile user.
 5. The method of claim 4, further comprising: assigningthe temporary callback number for the mobile user if a restriction isimposed on the mobile user.
 6. The method of claim 5, furthercomprising: storing the temporary callback number at a mobilepositioning center or global mobile location center for later use. 7.The method of claim 6, further comprising: returning routing informationto a mobile switching center for routing future calls from the mobileuser via an emergency services voice network.
 8. The method of claim 1,further comprising: receiving the request for a callback from atelephone network, the request comprising the temporary callback number;routing the request to a temporary callback number gateway; and sendingthe temporary callback number to a mobile positioning center or globalmobile location center for an actual callback number.
 9. The method ofclaim 8, wherein the a mobile positioning center or global mobilelocation center is a selective router.
 10. The method of claim 8,further comprising: identifying the actual callback number correspondingto the temporary callback number; replacing the actual callback numberwith a predetermined value known by a mobile switching center of themobile user; and routing the callback to the mobile unit via the mobileswitching center using the predetermined value.
 11. The method of claim10, wherein the predetermined value comprises an automatic nameidentification enclosed in a calling party number.
 12. The method ofclaim 8, wherein routing the callback to the mobile unit comprises:routing the callback to the mobile switching center over a public switchtelephone network (PSTN) or a dedicated network.
 13. The method of claim10, wherein the predetermined value informs the mobile switching centerto allow the callback to be connected to a mobile unit used by themobile user.
 14. A method, comprising: receiving a call initiated from acaller using a voice over Internet Protocol device; determining if arestriction is imposed on the caller for incoming calls, wherein thedetermining if the restriction is imposed comprises querying a userinformation database, the query comprises an identifier identifying amobile device of the caller; assigning a temporary callback number tothe public safety answer point to prevent the mobile device fromblocking or restricting an incoming call from the public safetyanswering point; sending a query for callback and location informationof the mobile user from the public safety answering point to a mobilepositioning center or a global mobile location center via an emergencyservices data network; and responsive to receiving a call from thecaller, sending the temporary callback number and location informationof the mobile user to the public safety answer point to use thetemporary callback number to call the caller.
 15. A non-transitorycomputer readable medium comprising instructions that, when read by aprocessor, perform: receiving a call initiated from a caller having aninternational phone number; determining if a restriction is imposed onthe caller for incoming calls, wherein the determining if therestriction is imposed comprises querying a user information database,the query comprises an identifier identifying a mobile device of thecaller; assigning a temporary callback number to the public safetyanswer point to prevent the mobile device from blocking or restrictingan incoming call from the public safety answering point; sending a queryfor callback and location information of the mobile user from the publicsafety answering point to a mobile positioning center or a global mobilelocation center via an emergency services data network; and responsiveto receiving a call from the caller, sending the temporary callbacknumber and location information of the mobile user to the public safetyanswer point for use of the temporary callback number to call the callerhaving the international phone number.
 16. A system, comprising: amobile unit; a mobile switching center (MSC) communicably coupled to themobile unit; a gateway mobile location center (GMLC) or MobilePositioning Center (MPC) that determines if a restriction is imposed ona mobile user for incoming calls, wherein the determination comprises aquery of a user information database, the query comprises an identifierthat identifies the mobile unit of the mobile user, and determinesrouting of an emergency call initiated from the mobile unit, the GMLC orMPC is communicably coupled to the MSC and an emergency service datanetwork; a temporary callback number gateway communicably coupled to theGMLC or MPC and a telephone network; and a public safety answering pointthat initiates a callback to the mobile unit through the telephonenetwork and sends a query for callback and location information of themobile user to the GMLC or the MPC via the emergency service datanetwork, the public safety answering point is communicably coupled tothe emergency service data network; wherein the GMLC or MPC isconfigured to assign and send a temporary callback number and locationinformation of the mobile user to the public safety answer point when arestriction is imposed on the mobile unit; wherein the mobile unit isconfigured to receive an incoming call from the public safety answerpoint using the temporary callback number.
 17. The system of claim 16,wherein the callback comprises a unique predetermined automatic nameidentification indicating an emergency call.
 18. The system of claim 16,further comprising: a database for storing user information of themobile unit, the database is communicably coupled to the gateway mobilelocation center or mobile positioning center.
 19. The system of claim16, further comprising: an emergency call voice network communicablycoupled to the MSC and to the public safety answering point; wherein theemergency call voice network is operable to selectively route theemergency call for the public safety answering point, and the emergencyservice data network is operable to identify a temporary callback numberof the mobile unit from the GMLC or MPC.
 20. The system of claim 16,wherein the GMLC or MPC is further configured to generate the temporarycallback number for the mobile unit and store the temporary callbacknumber for later use.
 21. The system of claim 20, wherein the telephonenetwork is operable to receive a request for a callback from the publicsafety answering point, the request comprising the temporary callbacknumber and location information of the mobile unit.
 22. The system ofclaim 20, wherein the temporary callback number gateway is operable toreceive the temporary callback number from the telephone network andidentify an actual callback number based on the temporary callbacknumber.
 23. The system of claim 22, wherein the temporary callbacknumber gateway is further operable to replace the actual callback numberwith a predetermined value and route the callback to the mobile unitusing the predetermined value.
 24. The system of claim 18, wherein thegateway mobile location center is operable to send a query to thedatabase and determine if a restriction is imposed on the mobile unitbased on information received from the database.